Reds’ bullpen sets futility record

CINCINNATI — When it comes to giving up runs game after game, nobody in major league history has been as bad as these Reds relievers.

Jeff Samardzija went eight innings to win his third straight start — a career first — and the San Francisco Giants rallied for two runs in the eighth inning against Cincinnati’s historically bad bullpen for a 3-1 victory Tuesday night.

The bullpen has given up at least one run in each of the Reds’ last 21 games, surpassing the 2013 Colorado Rockies for the longest such streak in major league history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

“It’s a challenge for the guys in the bullpen,” manager Bryan Price said. “It’s been a challenge to get on a roll.

“Sometimes, you’ve got to stretch a lead. We should be more capable of doing more offensively. We should be able to win games, 8-5, instead of losing them, 8-5. There’s no wiggle room for the bullpen to make a mistake.”

Samardzija (4-1) had been 0-5 in his last nine starts against the Reds, but limited them to three hits — including Adam Duvall’s homer — to end the slump. Santiago Casilla got the last three outs for his sixth save in eight chances.

Samardzija also snapped his bat over his left leg in frustration after striking out with two runners in scoring position in the eighth inning.

The Reds came into the game with by far the worst bullpen in the majors, and watched it let another one get away.

With the game tied 1-1, Kelby Tomlinson drove in the go-ahead run with an infield single off Caleb Cotham (0-1). Gregor Blanco followed with another run-scoring single, putting the Giants in position for their fifth straight win at Great American Ball Park.

The Reds activated left-hander John Lamb off the disabled list before the game to start for Jon Moscot, who has a sore non-throwing shoulder. Lamb had back surgery in December and had made three minor league rehab starts. Lamb gave up six hits in six innings.

“I had mixed emotions,” said Lamb, who threw 103 pitches. “I’d like to go out there and be textbook. At the end of the day, I was able to use my secondary pitches to get guys out and get the game in my favor.”